Texas Schools Rise in Basketball Top 25

The Associated Press has released its updated men’s Top 25 rankings after the first week of the 2023-2024 season.

All four Texas schools (Houston, Texas A&M, Baylor, and Texas) from the initial poll remained in the Top 25 after winning both their games to start the season, while TCU was among the top vote-getters on the outside.

Houston moved up to No.6, Baylor to No.15, and A&M jumped over Arkansas and is now ranked No.13. Texas fell one spot from No.18 to No.19.

The teams that fell the furthest were Michigan State and Duke. The Spartans dropped 14 spots from No.4 to No.18 after losing their season opener against James Madison, which entered the poll at No.23 after a 3-0 start that caused a stir on social media.

Duke fell seven spots from No.2 to No.9 after a loss to Arizona, which is now ranked No.3 after making the most significant jump of the week, climbing nine spots.

Colorado is the only other team besides JMU to join the Top 25 after not being ranked in the preseason poll, while San Diego State and Saint Mary’s have fallen off.

The Big 12 has the second-most ranked teams of any conference with four, while the SEC leads with five.

Here is the complete poll for this week:

1. Kansas Jayhawks (2-0)
2. Purdue Boilermakers (2-0)
3. Arizona Wildcats (2-0)
4. Marquette Golden Eagles (2-0)
5. UConn Huskies (2-0)
6. Houston Cougars (2-0)
7. Tennessee Volunteers (2-0)
8. Creighton Bluejays (2-0)
9. Duke Blue Devils (1-1)
10. Florida Atlantic Owls (1-0)
11. Gonzaga Bulldogs (1-0)
12. Miami (FL) Hurricanes (2-0)
13. Texas A&M Aggies (2-0)
14. Arkansas Razorbacks (2-0)
15. Baylor Bears (3-0)
16. USC Trojans (2-0)
17. Kentucky Wildcats (2-0)
18. Michigan State Spartans (1-1)
19. Texas Longhorns (2-0)
20. North Carolina Tar Heels (2-0)
21. Villanova Wildcats (2-0)
22. Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0)
23. Illinois Fighting Illini (2-0)
24. James Madison (3-0)
25. Colorado Buffaloes (2-0)

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Memphis 53, Virginia 49, St. John’s 47, UCLA 36, TCU 34, San Diego St. 33, BYU 32, Saint Mary’s 20, Mississippi St. 19, Iowa St. 10, Wisconsin 6, Auburn 5, Michigan 2, Weber St. 2, Drake 1, Boise St. 1, Clemson 1.